by our College Data Analytics Team
[Cosmetology](/majors/personal-and-culinary-services/cosmetology/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. The schools below stand out for the salaries their cosmetology graduates go on to command.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 schools on the early-career earnings of their cosmetology graduates.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose cosmetology graduates go on to earn the most.
Leading the list is Medspa Academies National Institute Of Modern Aesthetics, our #1 for cosmetology graduate salaries in Nevada. Medspa Academies National Institute Of Modern Aesthetics is a private for-profit school located in the suburb of Las Vegas. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Medspa Academies National Institute Of Modern Aesthetics typically earn about $31,790 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in cosmetology will find them at International Academy Of Style, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Reno, International Academy Of Style is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from International Academy Of Style typically earn about $25,903 annually.
A rank of #3 makes Avalon Institute Las Vegas one of the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Avalon Institute Las Vegas is a private for-profit school located in the suburb of Las Vegas. Cosmetology graduates of Avalon Institute Las Vegas earn a median of about $29,008 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #4 makes Casal Institute Of Nevada one of the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Set in the city of Las Vegas, Casal Institute Of Nevada is a private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates of Casal Institute Of Nevada earn a median of about $23,374 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Paul Mitchell The School Reno earned it the #5 place for cosmetology. Set in the city of Reno, Paul Mitchell The School Reno is a private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates of Paul Mitchell The School Reno earn a median of about $22,895 a year early in their careers.
Euphoria Institute Of Beauty Arts And Sciences Summerlin came in at #6 for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Euphoria Institute Of Beauty Arts And Sciences Summerlin is a private for-profit school located in the city of Las Vegas. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Euphoria Institute Of Beauty Arts And Sciences Summerlin typically earn about $21,999 annually.
Paul Mitchell The School Las Vegas earned the #7 position for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Las Vegas, Paul Mitchell The School Las Vegas is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the cosmetology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $23,124.
Academy Of Hair Design Las Vegas came in at #8 for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Las Vegas, Academy Of Hair Design Las Vegas is a private for-profit institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Academy Of Hair Design Las Vegas make a median of around $22,801 per year.
L Makeup Institute earned the #9 position for cosmetology graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Las Vegas, L Makeup Institute is a private for-profit institution. Cosmetology graduates of L Makeup Institute earn a median of about $17,300 a year early in their careers.
Milan Institute Las Vegas ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cosmetology schools. Located in the city of Las Vegas, Milan Institute Las Vegas is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, cosmetology degree recipients from Milan Institute Las Vegas typically earn about $23,012 annually.
Milan Institute Of Cosmetology Reno placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for cosmetology. Located in the city of Reno, Milan Institute Of Cosmetology Reno is a private for-profit institution. Early-career cosmetology graduates from Milan Institute Of Cosmetology Reno make a median of around $19,776 per year.
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their cosmetology graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 11 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.